Ethios sat on the inner window ledge of his room, gazing outside as if he were waiting for something to return.
Or rather… someone.
Night had already draped its veil over the Siren Clan continent.
The air outside was shrouded in heavy darkness, making it impossible for Ethios to see more than a few meters beyond the glass.
It had been a few days since Iris's departure.
Alexa entered the room to find him by the window—again.
In truth, that window was Ethios's only escape.
His sole connection to the outside world… a small opening through which he had grown accustomed to staring into the distance.
She walked closer and sat sideways beside him on the ledge, staring out for a few moments.
"Your father won't be coming back tonight. You know that, don't you?"
Ethios ignored her words.
"It doesn't matter. I'll keep waiting."
Alexa sighed, turning her gaze toward him. Then she reached out and gently ruffled his hair.
"He'll be fine. First-class missions are the most dangerous… but there's a silver lining in that."
Ethios stared at her, waiting for her to continue.
She blinked slowly, then added:
"Because they're the most important and perilous, only the strongest warriors in this world are entrusted with them. Your father is one of them."
Something stirred within Ethios.
He couldn't quite name the feeling that welled up inside him at her words—but perhaps it was pride.
Still, a question lingered in his mind. How could she be so certain? No matter how strong his father was, a mission of that caliber must also carry unimaginable risks.
"Mother… aren't you worried about him?"
Alexa could only let out a soft laugh at that.
"Of course I am. But I know your father. I've seen him fight many times. He always walks away victorious—no matter the battlefield, no matter the opponent standing before him."
A faint smile spread across Ethios's face.
She was confident because she had witnessed things he had yet to see.
"I understand…"
Silence settled once more as they both stared into the darkness beyond the glass.
Finally, Ethios climbed down from the ledge and turned to face his mother.
"Mother… I want you to teach me how to fight."
Alexa's expression darkened. She quickly turned, as though trying to hide it.
"Haven't we had this conversation already?"
Ethios clenched his fists tightly, his determination burning through his voice.
"I know I'm still young. But you… you're terrifyingly strong. That means there are others out there who can match you. Maybe even surpass you. I don't want to be a burden when the time comes to face them.
I want to stand as a protector—not just for our clan, but for every clan beneath the Union's banner."
Alexa froze, stunned.
She had thought his desire came from curiosity, or perhaps the childish dream of becoming famous.
But no… his resolve was noble—far beyond what she expected from a boy his age.
She exhaled slowly, though in the depths of her heart, she felt a quiet warmth.
"Your father promised me he would send you to the Academy when he returns from this mission."
Ethios frowned. Those words meant at least a month of waiting.
But Alexa smiled.
"That doesn't mean you can't train here. I've already taught you the basics. Reflect on them… and then take your first steps toward your dream. But be warned—this path is long. You'll lose people dear to you. And you'll have to keep moving forward, no matter the pain."
Ethios nearly leapt with joy.
He would finally become a warrior.
Yet her warning lingered in his mind.
He drew a slow breath, his expression sharpening with resolve.
"I promise… I'll keep going. Step by step. I'll grow stronger. And one day, I'll be the one to protect you."
They both smiled, their eyes drifting back toward the night sky through the window.
They wished Iris were there with them in this moment.
But they also knew—when Ethios truly began his journey, Iris would be there to witness it.
And beneath the quiet blanket of night, the household fell into slumber.